William g



(No Model.)

W. G. BOUSE.

SLBD. NO- 469,227- PaJtented Feb. 23, 1892.

l lag. 5a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. BOUSE, OF LORAIN, OHIO.

SLED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 469,227', datedFebruary 23, 1892.

Application tied september 7,1391. serai Ne. 404,976. (Ne model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

lBe it known that I, WILLIAM G. BoUsE, a cltlzen of the United States,and a resident of I Lorain, county of Lorain, State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Self -Propelling Sleds,of which I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in self-propelling sleds, theobjects being to provlde an easily propelled and guided vehicle for .iceor snow; and it consists in the combination and arrangement of parts andconstruction of details, as hereinafter described, shown in theaccompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

u In the drawings, Figure l shows a perspective view of my invention.Fig. Qshows sectional views of runners, and Fig. 3 shows a sectionalview of wheel. Fig. 4e showsa View of wheel-fork connection. Fig. 5shows a rear elevation of vehicle. Fig. 5" is a detail.

In the drawings, A is the main frame, separated in the rear in the twoportions of the fork A. The extremities of this fork are also separatedin forks a to form a bearing for the splndles a', to which the spokes a2of the runners B are secured. It will be seen that the frame A archesupward, but descends at its forward end, and with an upward curve isattached to the vertical spindle-bearing C,

through which the steering-spindle D is inserted. A suitable shoulder CZon this spindle supports t-he frame A, and immediately below this pointthe vertical spindle forks to receive the spindle d', to which thespokes d2 of the guiding-runnerD are secured. Avertical sleeve at E,near the union of the fork with the frame A, supports the seat-spindle,which is vertically adjustable thereon to suit the height of the riderupon the seat.

F is the propelling-wheel, placed vertically between the sides of thefork A. This wheel is supported upon the arms F of the auxiliary fork,which is pivoted at its inner extremity at F2 upon the standard-sleeveE. Chain gearing G connects the sprocket-wheel F3 upon the axis F4,connected with the crank, F5, operated by pedals f, attached to themainframe A in such a position that they can be readily operated from theseat 'with the sprocket-wheel F6 upon the wheel-axis. The necessity ofpivoting` the wheel-axle supports to the frame A will be seen in thechanging depth to which the wheel will fall in passing over rough groundor in deep snows. The point ofattachm'ent of these supports at F2 willbe seen to be somewhat above the crank, center at F4, the effect ofwhich will be to tend to pull down the wheel F and keep the points inits surface in engagement with the snow or ice over which the vehiclepasses. To augment this force and insure a closeengagement, springs G'connect the Wheel-axle supports to the extremities of the fork A,Whichconstantly tend to pull down the wheel and prevent slipping.

The sectional View of the wheelrim is shown distinctly in Fig. 3, whereF is the rim of sheet metal, folded on its meeting edges, so as tosecure the hardened points H, which may be either brazed or rivetedbetween the edges, as desired.

The section of the runners is shown in Fig. 2, where d2 are the spokes,inserted in the upper edge of the folded metal runner, and linallyriveted or pinned, as shown. Either of the forms may be used.

On either side of the front or steering wheel are small sprocket-wheelsI, pivoted to the double arm J, which is pivoted upon the axis of therunner. This arm also projects in front of the axis, and the arm I andwheels are kept elevated by pressure upon the rod K, which passes up thehandle-bar and is engaged by the hand-lever L, pivoted at Z, whichelevates or depresses the rod K, which is supported suitably in bearingsk.

Springs m may be employed to force downward the wheels when therod K isreleased.

The function of this device will be seen to be to afford a grip for thefront runner for turning in smooth places. For such use the wheels arepermitted to fall upon the ice to prevent lateral movement by sliding.

In place of springs the extremity bearing the wheels may be weighted toaccomplish the same purpose.

A step O is shown attached to the side of the frame to ascend into theseat.

Other slight modiiications or additions may be made without altering thespirit of my invention.

In order to assist the pivotal bearing F2 in supporting the forkvertically, the vertical plates R are secured to the inner sides of theforks A, and rollers P are pivoted at p on the outer sides of the fork Fin such a position as to engage the plates and prevent friction inraising or lowering the wheel.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

l. In a self-propelling sled, a hollow arched supporting'- frame for anadjustable seat forked in the rear and provided with pedals and chainspindle-wheel, an auxiliary supporting-frame for the propelling-wheel,located within the fork of the main frame near its intersection with thefork, a sleeve for the steering-spindle at the forward extremity of theframe, a spindle passing through said frame and provided with ashoulderupon which said frame rests, a forked lower extremity, a runnerpivotallyT connected to said extremity by means of wire spokes andsleeve, and runners pivotallyconnected with the forked extremities ofthe main fork of theframe, and springs connecting the auxiliary framewith the forks of the main frame, substantially as described.

2. In a self-propelling sled, a main frame A, curved in the form of anarc and forked at one extremity to admit a propelling-wheel within thefork, an auxiliary frame pivoted to the main frame and to thewheel-axis, a sprocket-Wheel on the axle and a similar wheel and pedalson the rnain frame, a chain connecting the Wheels, a seat verticallyadjustable upon the frame, a steering-spindle passing through the frontof the frame A and forked at its lower end, a sleeve pivoted in saidfork to which the spokes of a runner are attached, and small wheels uponthe bar pivoted upon the sleeve to removably touch the ice at eitherside of. the runner, substantially as described.

3. In a self-propelling sled, substantially as described, a verticalsteering-spindle provided with arms at its upper extremity and handles,a fork at the lower end to which a runner is pivotally connected bymeans of a sleeve and spokes, a bar pivoted upon the sleeve andprojecting both rearward'and forward, the rearward projection beingprovided with two sprocket-wheels separated so as to fall on either sideof the pivot-runner, with means for raising the wheels when not in use,consisting ot' a rod supported upon the vertical steering-spindle and ahand-lever upon the handle-bar adapted to engage the end of the rod, asand for the purpose set forth.

4. In a self-propelling sled, a main frame A, curved in the form of anarc and forked at one extremity to ladmit a propelling-wheel within thefork, an auxiliary frame pivoted to the main frame and to thewheel-axle, vertical plates on the inner sides of the main WILLIAM G.BOUSE.

Witnesses:

WM. M. MONROE, .W. A'lHoMrsoN.

